BOARD MEMBERS

Gerald J. Noel, Jr.
President

1st Glasser Training: workshop with Barnes Boffey in Concord, NH during the spring of 1996.

Basic Intensive: July 1998.

Certification: June 2001.

Institute Faculty since January, 2004.

Choice Theory has helped me to change my life not only by helping me to understand behavior better but it has also given me renewed sense of hope. Hope in the sense that when one of my significant relationships is not going quite how I would like it to be, I can do something about it instead of waiting for the other person to change. In essence the recently shared CT version of the serenity prayer recently sent out as part of the Mental Health and Happiness 21-day challenge sums it all up for me:

“God grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change;
Courage to change the one I can;
And the wisdom to know that person is me.”

Corby Meyer
Vice President

Licensed School Counselor, Began Training in 2003 was certified in Colorado Springs 2008. Learning Choice Theory helped me become a better counselor, husband and father. The internal control I have gained as well as the ability to self evalutate has vastly improved my own mental health.

Amy Hartman
Secretary

I read my first Choice Theory book in 2001 and for the first time, felt like a theory of mental health hit home and was something I could work with. I had a professor who introduced me to this philosophy and practice of Choice Theory, Reality Therapy, and loved it from the start! I began my training in 2002 and was certified in 2005. I trained locally and also travelled to Cincinnati twice to obtain training, once with Robert Wubbholding, a well-known author, teacher, and spokesperson for Reality Therapy. I have a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a Masters of Arts in Counseling, and am a licensed professional counselor. Choice Theory has impacted my life personally and professionally. Learning and practicing the concepts has helped me stay connected in my relationships. Being aware of what I have control over- my reactions, helps me interact with others in a healthy way. I am a better leader, employee, manager, and therapist because of practicing Reality Therapy. Talking with clients about Total Behavior gives them an immediate tool they can take with them for the rest of their lives- so powerful! Accountability in the work place and doing behaviors that make employees feel listened to, understood, and valued helps add to positive morale. I’m not quite sure where I would have landed without crossing paths with CT/RT; the training I have received and continued practice attributes to my mental health and happiness.

Hilary Spartz
Treasurer

I was first introduced to Choice Theory / Reality Therapy in 2003, and immediately signed up for basic training! I completed my certification in 2008.

I have a Master’s of Arts in Counseling and Human Services, I am a licensed school counselor, licensed professional counselor, nationally certified counselor, as well as Choice Theory Reality Therapy Certified.

Choice Theory has improved my life and relationships in so many ways. The most liberating aspect for me is understanding external control psychology and dismissing it from my life. I can truly only control myself and am not responsible for or to blame for other people’s actions. Focusing my energy on being the person I want to be rather than focusing on other people’s behavior has given me freedom, happiness and an improved quality of life!

Molly Merry

I am a retired teacher/principal. Twenty five years of my career were as a classroom teacher in all elementary grades. My last seven years I served as the principal of two alternative choice programs; one elementary and the other high school level. In 1992 I wrote and received a grant for an elementary school of choice model based in Multiple Intelligences Theory and Project Based Learning. The school continues to thrive in Canon City, CO, Canon Exploratory School. Dr. Glasser’s Choice Theory and Quality Schools were central to the design of both of the schools I lead.

In 1995 I was given the honor of being selected as Colorado Teacher of the Year. I also taught for Lesley University as adjunct faculty for 20 years in the Creative Arts and Learning MA program. I continue to be interested in an educational process that allows for and nurtures diverse ways of learning, personal responsibility, and the whole person.

Sandy Gates

After years of being a nurse, I now work as school counselor. I started my training in CT/RT in 2002. It has been helpful in my self evaluation of the choices I make daily. It has also served as a compass for my professional work as I encourage students to be their best.

Maria Fieth

Embedding Choice Theory into a wide variety of training options, Maria has worked with businesses and educators to provide guidance for refining and sustaining healthy learning and working environments and building community among all stakeholders.

Maria attained CT/RT certification in 2007 and currently serves as Project Director for U.S. Department of Labor’s Trade Adjustment Assistant Community College and Career Training Round 2 initiative. Her previous position as Project Manager for a federally funded Safe Schools/Healthy Students Initiative provides a strong backdrop for national level accountability and partnering. In 2010, her work received national recognition from Kevin Jennings and the U.S. Department of Education. Her work was again honored with the Heroes Award in July 2013 by Auburn University for building exemplary schools/community partnerships. Earlier in her career, Maria was the key administrator in the start-up of a nontraditional learning environment for middle level learners.

In addition to the certification in CT/RT, Maria holds a principal’s license, a dual Master’s degree in English and Education, a Master’s degree in Psychodynamics and numerous certifications in leadership and learning including National Institute for School Leadership, Tointon Institute for Educational Change, Ruby Payne’s Poverty Framework, Olweus Bullying Prevention, Discovery Communication Model, and Crucial Conversations. She and her husband, Andy, live on a small urban farm in Colorado with Theo the red dog and Bagheera the black cat.

Dr. Gideon Kilonzo

My first CT/RT training was in December of 2003. With many years as a K-12 counselor and 10 years as an executive director of a K–14 school in Nairobi, Kenya I knew my calling was in the field of counseling. I returned to the USA in March of 2001 and that August started working as a high school counselor on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota. After two years of working I started to feel ineffective as a counselor; and became motivated to search for ideas that I could learn and use to help me succeed at my job with students and teachers.

I started reminiscing about my graduate school days at the University of South Dakota where I had graduated with a Master’s degree in Counseling, Guidance and Personnel Services (CGPS) back in 1976 and an Ed.D. in 1986. I revisited theories of counseling I had learned in graduate school and came across one theory, in particular, (Reality Therapy) that had made an impression on me even though professors had kind of

Nancy S Buck

It is more accurate to say that Dr. Glasser and choice theory psychology helped to DEFINE my life. Ever since I learned about Dr. Glasser and his ideas in my undergraduate work in nursing, I have been an enthusiastic follower, learner, supporter and ultimately teacher.

Professionally, I was able to create and develop an application of choice theory to parenting, called Peaceful Parenting. My academic research resulted in a model of human development, from birth to death based on choice theory psychology. I have authored three books and contributed chapters to several others.

Professionally, I have served in every capacity within the Glasser organizations from the beginning of the formulation of the Institute.

Presently I serve as the Mt States Regional Board Representative to the William Glasser Institute – US.

I am one of the founding member of the William Glasser International representing the US.

I am a senior faculty member in good standing and have been since 1980.

Frank E. Dunn

I was certified in March of 1983 at Marina Del Ray, California and attribute many areas of personal growth to the application of CTRT to my personal and professional life. I have been privileged to serve as the President of the William Glasser Institute US and as President of the Institute’s Mountain States Region. The most powerful learning learning experience from CTRT was the freedom that comes from knowing I cannot blame others for my behavior.